childsg@nus.edu.sg 
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NUS, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine 
CHILD’s inaugural conference promotes science, innovation, collaboration and partnership, providing a forum for multiple perspectives to improve the early years for children. The conference will be relevant for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in the field of early child development. The focus of the conference will be global, with a special focus on Singapore and Southeast Asia.
October 26 – 28, 2022│Hybrid Event
Shaping Young Futures: CHILD Conference 2025 Sparks Action to Translate Evidence in Policy and Practice for Early Childhood Development
With a global spotlight on the importance of early childhood given its far-reaching impact beyond the individual, the Centre for Holistic Initiatives for Learning and Development (CHILD), based at the National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine) brings together thought leaders, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to explore actionable insights on adopting evidence-informed approaches and effective implementation, ensuring every child gets the best start in life at the CHILD Conference 2025.
Attended by Guest-of-Honour, Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Social and Family Development, this year’s theme ‘Translating Evidence for Impact: Bridging Research, Policy, and Practice in Early Childhood’ highlights the importance and relevance of evidence-based strategies and showcases critical intersections of research, policy, and practice in early childhood development.
From left: Professor Wei-Jun Jean Yung, Director of Social Sciences, A*STAR IHDP, Adjunct Associate Professor Chong Shang Chee, Deputy Director (Practice and Partnerships), Centre for Holistic Initiatives for Learning and Development (CHILD), Assistant Professor Keri McCrickerd, Deputy Director (Research and Development), CHILD, Ms Yang Huiwen, Associate Programme Director, Co-Lead of Early Childhood Development, Lien Foundation, Professor Yap Seng Chong, Dean, National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine), Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Social and Family Development, Professor Nick Sevdalis, Executive Director, CHILD, Dr Robyn Mildon, CEO, Centre for Evidence and Implementation, Prof Lee Yung Seng, Group Chief, Paediatrics, National University Health System
The three keynotes delivered over the two days of the conference outlined how effective translation of research and scientific evidence into policies and practice can have transformative effects on children’s development, especially in their formative years.
Professor Hirokazu Yoshikawa from NYU Steinhardt discussed how the use of scientific evidence in national policy for early childhood development can be maximised with sustained, reciprocal collaboration between researchers and policy makers.
Professor Hirokazu Yoshikawa delivering his keynote.
Professor Jean Yeung from NUS Medicine and A*STAR Institute for Human Development and Potential (A*STAR IHDP) spoke about the usefulness of population-based research such as the Singapore Longitudinal Early Development Study (SG-LEADS) in translating empirical evidence into policies and practices to promote early childhood development.
Professor Jean Yeung sharing her insights from the SG-LEADS.
Deputy Secretary (Policy) at the Ministry of Education, Mr Eugene Leong reflected on how research has shaped early childhood policies and programmes in Singapore, offering insights into key areas of focus for future research.
Mr Eugene Leong on the role of research in shaping Singapore’s early childhood policies and programmes.
At the conference, CHILD also announced that it will work with prominent early childhood providers such as PCF, Little Olive Tree, MY World for the Enhancing and Supporting Early Development to Better Children’s Lives (EASEL) approach across Singapore (EASEL 2.0). EASEL 2.0 builds on the key learnings of the EASEL 1.0 trial at 18 childcare centres nationwide, involving 47 educators and impacting 558 children. The EASEL Community of Practice (CoP) was launched as part of the rollout of EASEL 2.0.
Adjunct Assistant Professor Cheryl Seah of NUS Medicine and Director of the Centre for Evidence and Implementation (CEI) presenting the EASEL approach
The EASEL Approach, a set of universal, educator-led practices is designed for use with children aged 3 to 6 in early childhood settings. It aims to improve social, emotional, behavioural, and executive functioning (SEB+EF) outcomes, equipping children with the foundational skills they need to thrive in school and beyond.
The latest study on the development, feasibility, and initial effectiveness indicators of LEarning to Support Play (LET’S Play), a pilot programme led by CHILD designed to enhance grandparent responsiveness during play with young children was presented. Grandparents, aged 54 to 69 years old, participated with their grandchild, and showed increased responsible play interactions in grandparents with grandchildren.
Research assistants Ms Natalie Koh and Ms Nazihah Binte Mohamad Pauzi from CHILD
Mdm Rahayu Mahzam, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information & Ministry of Health also delivered a special address in her capacity as the Chair of the Policy Advisory Council for CHILD at the end of Day 1 of the conference, underscoring the importance of collaboration and dialogue between policy makers and researchers. She also spoke on the Council’s pivotal role in ensuring CHILD’s work is aligned with national priorities and mentioned CHILD’s new horizon scanning project that aims to identify emerging trends affecting children’s development, building CHILD’s capacity to inform new areas of policymaking.
Mdm Rahayu Mahzam delivering her address.
Adjunct Associate Professor Shang Chee Chong, Deputy Director (Practice and Partnerships), Centre for Holistic Initiatives for Learning and Development (CHILD) in her presentation outlined insights from the HEAlth and Development SUpport in Preschool Partnerships (HEADS-UPP), where the team looked at targeted services for a group of at-risk children and ways to integrate services in an accessible and affordable manner.
Adjunct Associate Professor Chong Shang Chee presenting findings from HEADS-UPP
The conference closed with an expert panel discussion on ways to strengthen parental mental health.
From left: Adjunct Assistant Professor Cheryl Seah, NUS Medicine, Director, CEI, Associate Professor Shefaly Shorey from the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies at NUS Medicine, Dr Xander Ong, Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Fathering, Professor Bryce McLeod from Virginia Commonwealth University, Associate Professor Helen Chen, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist at the Department of Psychological Medicine, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital
Watch the video montage for the CHILD Conference 2025 here